Foldable fallout shelter



Oct. 26, 1965 R. s. FORBES 3,2 ,86

FOLDABLE FALLOUT SHELTER Filed Feb. 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 2a 2 28 no 270 2, m EH2 Zlb -23b 7 27 300 J 27b I 30 I "27 30b 300 U 2/5 23c 2111 16 250 2 3 25 INVENTOR.

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4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 26, 1962 INVENTOR.

R- S- FORBES FOLDABLE FALLOUT SHELTER Filed Feb. 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

United States Patent C 3,213,868 FOLDABLE FALLOUT SHELTER Robert S. Forbes, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (4767 The Boulevard Westmount, Quebec, Canada) Filed Feb. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 175,662 4 Claims. (Cl. 135-2) This invention relates to improvements in foldable structures and more particularly to improvements in easily erectable and collapsible tent-like structures which, upon utilizing a special cover material which is substantially impervious to fallout dust and also to the ratio-activity associated therewith, will serve effectively as a fallout shelter.

Such a material as herein mentioned is now in the development stage and it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a structure to support it which is both portable, easily erectable and collapsible.

Another object of this invention is to provide a foldable fallout shelter which may be adapted for use either outdoors or in the home, with little or no modification of the basic design.

A further object of the invention is to provide a foldable fallout shelter which will provide an all-enveloping, tent-like cover for the occupants, including a floor and which will also have suflicient air space to enable the occupants to move and breathe freely therein.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a fallout shelter, the erecting mechanism for which may be mechanical or hydraulic and which may be effected completely independent of external power sources.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a fall out shelter which may be readily adapted for construction on any scale and remain equally effective.

These and other objects and features of this invention will become apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the framework of a fallout shelter embodying the present invention, shown in its fully erected state, the fabric covering being illustrated in phantom.

FIG. 2 is a sectional, side elevation of the shelter illustrated in FIG. 1 taken on the line 22.

FIG. 3 is a mid-vertical, sectional side elevation of the framework as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in its folded condition, and illustrating particularly details of the hydraulic folding and erecting mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a fractional, sectional side elevation of the portion of the hydraulic mechanism showing the relation between the upper jack extension and the centre jack body.

FIG. 5 is a fractional, sectional side elevation of part of the hydraulic mechanism showing in particular the relation between the centre jack body and the cylinder body.

FIG. 6 is a fractional, sectional side elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 1, embodying the hydraulic mechanism shown in FIG. 3, illustrating particularly the action of the mechanism during erection or collapse of the structure.

FIG. 7 is a fractional, sectional side elevation of the mechanism shown in FIG. 6 showing the relative locations of the components upon the structure becoming fully erected.

FIG. 8 is a fractional, part cut-away, perspective view of a knuckle joint incorporated in the side stays of the invention and showing particularly the method adopted to prevent incorrect folding of said stays.

FIG. 9 is a mid-vertical, sectional side elevation of the framework illustrated in FIG. 1, shown in its collapsed condition, and illustrating particularly a screw jack mechanism for the erection and folding thereof as an alterntive to the hydraulic mechanism as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a fallout shelter 20 in cludes a centre stem 21 adapted to support a framework 22 over which may be stretched a protective fabric 23.

Framework 22 is of umbrella-like construction and comprises a plurality of roof ribs 24 extending radially outwardly from the upper end 21a of centre stem 21, the inner ends 24a thereof being hinged thereto by conventional means. A similar plurality of floor ribs 25 extend radially outwardly from a slidable collar 26 formed around stem 21 which, in the erected state as shown, is coincident with the lower end 21b of stem 21. The innermost ends 25a of ribs 25 are hingedly attached to collar 26.

The outermost ends 24b and 25b of roof ribs 24 and floor ribs 25 respectively are connected in vertically corresponding pairs by a plurality of side stays 27. A plurality of upper bracing struts 28 extend radially outwardly and upwardly from a slidable collar 29 located around stem 21 at a position below upper end 21a, the inner ends 28a of struts 28 being hingedly attached to collar 29, while the outer ends 28b thereof are similarly attached to their respective roof ribs 24. A similar plurality of lower bracing struts 30 are hingedly attached to stem 21 by their upper ends 30a and to their respective floor ribs 25 by their lower ends 3%, ends 30a being spaced above lower end 21b of stem 21.

In the illustration it will be noted that side stays 27 are shorter than stem 21, causing roof ribs 24 to flex arcuately downwardly, while floor ribs 25 are sufficiently rigid to remain straight. It will be readily evident however that the configuration of roof ribs 24 may be changed by varying the lengths of side stays 27 without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It will be noted that fabric 23 is adapted to totally cover the framework 22 as described, thereby forming a roof 23a, sides 23b and a floor 23c; the whole forming the enclosed cylindrical structure of shelter 20, in which resealable flaps 31 may be formed for access door means and other resealable flaps 32 for ventilation means.

Referring to FIG. 3, shelter 20 is shown in the folded position, collars 26 and 29 having been moved down wardly on centre stem 21. Collar 29, by pulling upper bracing struts 28 downwardly by their inner ends 28b, causes roof ribs 24 to move arcuately downwarly. Simultaneous downward movement of lower collar 26 pulls the inner ends 25a of floor ribs 25 downwardly, causing ribs 25 to pivot about the hinged joints between lower ends 3012 of lower bracing struts 30. This in turn causes outer ends 25b of ribs 25 to move arcuately inwardly toward stem 21.

Referring also to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, it will be seen that each side stay 27 is divided substantially centrally into upper and lower portions 27a and 27b respectively. Both portions 27a and 27b are of channel section, upper portion 27a being narrower than lower portion 27b and a clearance fit therein. The mating ends of portions 27a and 2712 are hinged together in overlapping relationship and it may be seen from FIG. 8 that each side stay 27 is foldable only in one direction so that, upon initiating the collapse of shelter 20, all stays 27 fold outwardly, thereby ensuring the correct relationship between the components of framework 22 during the folding action.

To ensure correct opening and folding of framework 22 it is essential that lower collar 26 and upper collar 29 move simultaneously but at varying speeds. In the structure herein illustrated upper collar 29 must move substantially twice as far as lower collar 26 but this may vary with individual design requirements.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the preferred method of carrying out this requirement in which lower end 21b of stem 21 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 35 having a piston-like base wall 36 of larger diameter than and concentric with cylinder 35. Lower collar 26 forms a flanged ea extension to a lower wall 37 of a floor operating cylinder 38, the upper wall 39 thereof being located above base wall 36 of cylinder 35 and in freely slidable contact with the exterior Wall of cylinder 35. The edge of base wall 36 is in sealed, slidable contact with the inner wall of cylinder 38.

A hydraulic pump 40 of conventional, selectably reversible flow design is mounted on the exterior of lower wall 37, one of its ports 41 being in communication with the interior of cylinder 38, the other of its ports 42 being extended, in the form of a tube 43, coaxially through cylinder 38 to pass through base wall 36 of cylinder 35 in sealed, slidable relationship.

In this manner, upon operation of pump 40, hydraulic fluid from within cylinder 38 may be transferred through ports 41 and 42 and tube 43 into cylinder 35 and, there being no air vent, with the reduction in volume of fluid in cylinder 38, lower wall 37 thereof is caused to move closer to base wall 36 of cylinder 35. This results in cylinder 38 moving upwardly, over cylinder 35, and thereby moving collar 26 closer to the bottom 21b of stem 21. At the same time, tube 43 enters cylinder 35.

A subsequent reverse action of pump 40 transfers fluid from cylinder 35 into cylinder 38 and causes the latter to move downwardly until upper wall 39 of cylinder 38 contacts base wall 36 of cylinder 35.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 5, cylinder 35 contains an inner sleeve 44 having a sealed piston 45 assembled to the lower end thereof. Piston 45 is of annular configuration, to permit free access of fluid therethrough into the bore of sleeve 44, and is in sealed, slidable contact with the inner wall of cylinder 35. The upper wall 35a of cylinder 35 is suitably apertured to permit sleeve 44 to slide freely therethrough.

FIG. 4 in addition to the foregoing, illustrates a jack ram 46 having a piston 47 sealably slidable within sleeve 44, the upper wall 44a of the latter also being suitably apertured to permit ram 46 to slide freely therethrough.

In the fully housed state, as shown in FIG. 3, piston 45 of sleeve 44 and piston 47 of jack ram 46 are substantially coplanar and extend across the lower end of cylinder 35.

Referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7 it will be seen that, upon operating pump 40 as previously described, hydraulic fluid under pressure from pump 40 issues from the upper end of tube 43 to impinge on the lower surfaces of pistons 45 and 47. Piston 47, being of larger area, is caused to move upwardly first, thereby making room for tube 43 as the latter extends into cylinder 35. Upon reaching the top of its stroke, piston 47 contacts the upper wall 44a of sleeve 44, so that sleeve 44 is moved outwardly of cylinder 35 under pressure applied both to piston 45 and piston 47.

The combined length of stroke of jack ram 46 and sleeve 44 is double the length of stroke of cylinder 38, and the combined maximum capacities of cylinder 35 and sleeve 44 is equal to the maximum capacity of cylinder 38, so that it will be readily evident that operation of pump 40 will result in the desired ratio of travel between collar 26 on cylinder 38 and the upper end 46a of jack ram 46. A diametrically extending bar 48 from said upper end 46a is adapted to pass through two oppositely located, longitudinal slots 4949 formed in tubular stem 21 for attachment to upper collar 29.

It will be seen from FIG. 7 that upon full erection of shelter 20, lower collar 26 and floor ribs 25 are flat and coplanar, pump 40 being recessed within collar 26.

In larger applications it may be necessary to have pump 40 remote from stem 21, due to the fact that erection of shelter 20 from the base of stem 21 may result in the operator becoming trapped under floor 23c. This is easily accomplished by one skilled in the art by means of flexible hydraulic pipes extending from ports 41 and 42 in lower wall 37 of cylinder 38 to pump 40, which may then be operated at a safe distance from floor 23c.

FIG. 9 illustrates a preferred mechanical method of achieving the operation of collars 26 and 29 in the desired ratio. A screw jack bar 55 is rotatably supported within hollow stem 21 and rotated by bevel gear means 56 actuated by an external handle 57. An upper threaded portion 58 of bar 55 carries a threaded nut 59 thereon, rotation of nut 59 being prevented by two oppositely located bars 6060 extending radially outwardly therefrom, through slots 49 for attachment to upper collar 29. A lower threaded portion 61 extends downwardly below end 2112 of stem 21, a nut 62 being assembled thereon, said nut 62 being integral with lower collar 26.

It will be noted that the effective part of upper threaded portion 58 is substantially twice as long as lower threaded portion 61, and the thread pitch of the former is substantially twice that of the latter so that nut 59 will move the length of upper portion 58 simultaneously with nut 62 moving he length of lower portion 61.

Lower portion 61 is detachably attached to jack bar 55 at a location adjacent the lower end 21b of stem 21, and the threaded portion thereof extends upwardly sufficiently to permit nut 62 to pass into the end of stem 21 so that lower portion 61 may be detached, leaving jack bar 55 substantially flush with the undersurface of floor 23c upon full erection of shelter 20.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that shelter 20 in its collapsed state may be transported and stored in a substantially cylindrical configuration, taking up very little space and being easily handled. Upon being required for use, shelter 20 is quickly and easily erected either by operating pump 40 or by turning handle 57 as described so that immediate protection from fallout and other radiation hazards is available.

The general design of the individual parts of the invention as explained above may be varied according to requirements in regard to manufacture and production thereof, while still remaining within the spirit and principle of the invention, without prejudicing the novelty thereof.

The embodiments of this invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A foldable fallout shelter including a centre stem, a framework supported by said centre stem, a protective covering material extending over the whole of said framework and supported thereby; said framework comprising a plurality of roof ribs extending radially outwardly from and hingedly attached to the upper end of said stem; a first collar slidable upon the lower end of said stem; a similar plurality of floor ribs hingedly attached to and extending radially outwardly from said first collar; a plurality of side stays; each of said side stays interconnecting the outermost ends of said roof and floor ribs in vertically corresponding pairs and being hingedly attached thereto; each of said side stays being hingedly foldable substantially about its centre; a plurality of first bracing struts each hingedly attached to said stem above said first collar and extending radially outwardly therefrom for hinged attachment to a corresponding floor rib at a location partway along its length; a second collar slidable upon said stem below said roof rib; a plurality of second bracing struts hingedly attached to and extending radially outwardly from said second collar; each of said second bracing struts being hingedly attached to one of said roof ribs at a location partway along its length; movement of said first collar upwardly on said stem causing said floor ribs to assume a position in a plane at right angles to the axis of said stem; movement of said second collar upwardly causing said roof ribs to assume a position in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of said stem; downward movement of said first and second collars causing said floor and roof ribs respectively and said side stays to fold arcuately inwardly to lie substantially alongside said stem; and hydraulic jack means interconnecting said first and second collars causing said collars to move selectively upwardly or downwardly upon said centre stem simultaneously and in a predetermined distance ratio.

2. A foldable fallout shelter as defined in claim 1 in which said hydraulic jack means includes a telescopic hydraulic jack having an extensible jack ram attached to said second collar; a hydraulic cylinder located below and substantially coaxial with said jack; a selectably reversible flow pump means having a first port in communication with said cylinder and a second port in communication with said jack; the total capacity of said jack when fully extended equalling the total capacity of said cylinder when fully extended, said cylinder being movable relative to said jack, the total length of travel of said jack ram being in definite ratio to the total length of travel of said cylinder; and said cylinder carrying said first collar at the base thereof.

3. A foldable fallout shelter as defined in claim 1 including extensible first hydraulic jack means attached to said first collar and extensible second hydraulic jack means attached to said second collar; pump means for transferring fluid from said first to said second jack means References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,478,904 12/23 Muzzi et al 2 1,502,898 7/24 Berg 1352 3,044,477 7/ 62 Higgins 1352 FOREIGN PATENTS 451,3 84 9/49 Italy.

586,925 12/58 Italy.

REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner. 

1. A FOLDABLE FALLOUT SHELTER INCLUDING A CENTER STEM, A FRAMEWORK SUPPORTED BY SAID CENTER STEM, A PROTECTIVE COVERING MATERIAL EXTENDING OVER THE WHOLE OF SAID FRAMEWORK AND SUPPORTED THEREBY; SAID FRAMEWORK COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ROOF RIBS EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM AND HINGEDLY ATTACHED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID STEM; A FIRST COLLAR SLIDABLE UPON THE LOWER END OF SAID STEM; A SIMILAR PLURALITY OF FLOOR RIBS HINGEDLY ATTACHED TO AND EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID FIRST COLLAR; A PLURALITY OF SIDE STAYS; EACH OF SAID SIDE STAYS INTERCONNECTING THE OUTERMOST ENDS OF SAID ROOF AND FLOOR RIBS IN VERTICALLY CORRESPONDING PAIRS AND BEING HINGEDLY ATTACHED THERETO; EACH OF SAID SIDE STAYS BEING HINGEDLY FOLDABLE SUBSTANTIALLY ABOUT ITS CENTER; A PLURALITY OF FIRST BRACING STRUTS EACH HINGEDLY ATTACHED TO SAID STEM ABOVE SAID FIRST COLLAR AND EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY THEREFROM FOR HINGED ATTACHMENT TO A CORRESPONDING FLOOR RIB AT A LOCATION PARTWAYL ALONG ITS LENGTH; A SECOND COLLAR SLIDABLE UPON SAID STEM BELOW SAID ROOF RIB; A PLURALITY OF SECOND BRACING STRUTS HINGEDLY ATTACHED TO AND EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID SECOND COLLAR; EACH OF SAID SECOND BRACING STRUTS BEING HINGEDLY ATTACHED TO ONE OF SAID ROOF RIBS AT A LOCATION PARTWAY ALONG ITS LENGTH; MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST COLLAR UPWARDLY ON SAID STEM CAUSING SAID FLOOR RIBS TO ASSUME A POSITION IN A PLANE AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE AXIS OF SAID STEM; MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND COLLAR UPWARDLY CAUSING SAID ROOF RIBS TO ASSUME A POSITION IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE AXIS OF SAID STEM; DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND COLLARS CAUSING SAID FLOOR AND ROOF RIBS RESPECTIVELY AND SAID SIDE STRAYS TO FOLD ARCUATELY INWARDLY TO LIE SUBSTANTIALLY ALONGSIDE SAID STEM; AND HYDRAULIC JACK MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID FIRST AND SECOND COLLARS CAUSING SAID COLLARS TO MOVE SELECTIVELY UPWARDLY OR DOWNWARDLY UPON SAID CENTER STEM SIMULTANEOUSLY AND IN A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE RATIO. 